Bird Watching#Hiking#Picnicking#Sightseeing#Wildlife ViewingLakeTraildbo2026-04-04T17:01:57MtotView of lake336601h.jpgBMPLake McDonald is located off U.S. Hwy 2, a short distance from the west entrance to the park.Lake McDonald is located off U.S. Hwy 2, a short distance from the west entrance to the park.Mtot#Mtot#lake with boat dock#lake in the fall#336602h.jpg#336603h.jpg#636126478803639495.jpgBMP#BMP#BMP48.4949755-113.9810756West GlacierMTPO Box 12859936Lake McDonald is Glacier National Park's biggest lake; ten miles long and 472 feet deep. Filling a basin gouged out by Ice Age glaciers, Lake McDonald is a classic glacial feature. This long fjord-like lake is surrounded by mountains on the north, south, and east with the Continental Divide, 14 miles away. The mountains provide a spectacular backdrop for the lake and also act as a rain block. Much of the blocked precipitation ends up falling on the McDonald valley. The result is a mild, damp climate. Stands of western red cedar and hemlock flourish in the valley of Lake McDonald. The wildlife-viewing here can be spectacular, with species including bighorn sheep, mountain goat, elk, black bear, and whitetail and mule deer.406-888-7800West Glacier138291|http://www.visitmt.com|Y#11|http://www.wintermt.com|#32|http://www.lewisandclark.state.mt.us|#94|http://indiannations.visitmt.com|Lake McDonaldGLACIERGlacierLakeWest GlacierMTGlacier National Park59936http://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm